Welcome to our Online Image Database!
Since 1905, West Virginia Archives and History has been charged with the responsibility of collecting and preserving West Virginia's public records and historical materials and making these materials available to the public.
"Public Documents are the materials for the historian. Without such a collection he, however much inclined, can never do justice to a State. Nor without them, can its people ever have an accurate knowledge of the founding and growth of their institutions; nor of their own development in governmental affairs, educational and other interests. Not only this, but posterity can not have the means of judging, as it might, of the deeds, and principles of action, and of the legislation of ancestors. Thus the State that neglects to preserve its Public Documents, loses much to future generations -- to the whole world indeed."
-Virgil A. Lewis, West Virginia State Historian and Archivist, 1908
This database contains photographs housed in the West Virginia State Archives collections. This is a work in progress and only a partial list of our holdings. We are continually adding new photos.
Please start your search here and contact us if you do not find what you are looking for. If you would like a reproduction of a photo found here, please read our Conditions for Use of Photographic Copies, the Photograph Reproduction Fees, and the Photograph Use Fees. Download and complete a copy of the Permission For Use of Photographs and Moving Image form and return to Aaron Parsons or call (304) 558-0230 ext.744
Tips for Searching
Keyword Search
The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records online. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "National Road"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. For example, searching White in the People field will bring up any records associated with a member of the White family, without having to sift through black & white photographs. You can also search People and Creator records through Advanced Search. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.
Random Images
The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.